Backyard Oasis (or at least family ready)

Just took 2 1/2 years to clear the backyard.  Now we have a deck, a basketball court...and even grass.  We finally put down sod yesterday...proud to say we're one of the few husband wife teams who can pickup and install 100+ yards of sod in just an afternoon.

We also found a rectangle sun shade online for just $40...one of the best buys we've made, highly recommend it.http://www.ebay.com/itm/13-10FT-Outdoor-Patio-Rectangle-Sun-Sail-Shade-Cover-Canopy-Top-Awning-Shelter-/371016913225?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=640197949642&hash=item566254d149

Here are the before & afters as well as a couple of pictures of Jim "enjoying" the deck & Charlie the weiner dog 'helping".  You can't really tell from the photos, but we replanted a mature forsythia from our previous home and purchased a pink dogwood and a wisteria tree.  Really excited to see them coming along.

Before - decades of growing wild

After - fresh sod, complete with Yellow Lab inspection

Basketball court - adjustable from 7' to 10' so everyone can slam

Charlie helping with the yard work

Jim enjoying the new deck during construction

Backyard Progress

The back yard was a completely overgrown jungle!  It was pretty creepy and literally covered in poison ivy.  After a couple rounds of steroids and a year of hard work - the yard is ready for some sod, a basketball/patio and a deck.  For Jim's birthday, we bought a Pink Dogwood tree and a Blue Wisteria Tree to plant and also transplanted a forsythia from our old house in Hillcrest.  (reminder for warm climate folks - building a deck in February is MUCH more fun than building one in June).

Yards Gone Wild

Cleared the vines, but keep coming back

Finally ready for sod - and planting a couple trees

The deck being build

I have found photos of our house from the 1970's through current.  I need to find some prior to 1970's.  If anyone lived here or knows where to get photos, please contact me - christyminers@gmail.com

1403 Center Street through the years!

1970's 

1980's 

2000's 

Today 

I just LOVE decorating for Christmas - especially with a house that wants to be decorated.  We had plenty of outside decor for our 1925 Cottage, but can't quite cover the big Queen Anne - yet.  

Anyone have a giant wreath they'd like to donate?

Or loan us a lift to reach that second story?

Below are the results for this year.  New addition is a authentic Mardi Gras float Santa Claus that my Mom purchased at a Donation Auction - he really adds to the look...complete with spot light.

Making good progress on the landscaping.  Found several folks around little rock that were thinning their day lilies, iris and such.  Shared bulbs are the best kind.

Christmas Lights 2013

So here is the 1st effort at Christmas lights outside. 
As you can see, I can't quite reach the 2nd story...

Those 'winged things' are lighted bows with a swag, they look pretty in real life.
The porch has a 'curtain' of icicle lights - I really love them.
The wreaths in the windows don't show up very well - battery operated.

My future dream-come-true is to get one of those sleigh & reindeer blow mold, vintage - of course.  To go on the roof just outside the turret.  some day, some day.

Greater Little Rock Preservation Award

Our "Center Street Project" received an Award of Merit from the Quapaw Quarter Association at their annual meeting - Greater Little Rock Preservation Awards.  We are so proud!

http://www.slideshare.net/quapawquarter/qqas-2013-annual-report-and-greater-little-rock-preservation-awards  (see slide 41 for Center Street)